Gabrielle

Valencia España con Gabrielle

24-25 March 2016  –  Maundy Thursday and Good Friday

Our drive from Málaga along the Mediterranean Coast Highway is clear and smooth as we zip our little Volkswagen Polo around and through the Sierra Nevadas. This is Spain as I imagine: brown, open and arid land, hills and mountain ranges in the distance. These provinces of Andalucia contain the highest point of continental Spain, 11,411 ft above sea level. And the sparkling, azure Mediterranean is along our right. There are multitudes of olive trees, oranges, and low hot houses as far as we can see.

Our modern Ibis Valencia Hotel concierge told us everyone has left town for the weekend, encouraging us to just drive the few miles into the city. That most locals have left seems obvious as we maneuver deserted streets and easily park the car around the Plaza de Toros. Totally different experience from our last few days. (more…)

By Pat, ago

España’s Semana Santa

By Gabrielle Bremer – Through the Lens Photography

A young Nazareno during Semana Santa

A young Nazareno during Semana Santa

Semana Santa, or Holy Week, is celebrated by Spanish Catholics. It is a breath-taking celebration that takes place from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday (March 20th-27th this year). This is a week of annual commemoration of the Passion of Jesus Christ; it is filled with music, costumes, and processions. Along with that comes the celebration of life, people, and the sacrifice from their Saviour. (more…)

By Gabrielle, ago

Gibraltar con Gabrielle

23 March 2016

Barbary macaque

Barbary macaque

“God Bless America,” the British Immigration Officer says to me at the border. If it were not for him, the generous bus driver who drove us down The Rock without a ticket, or the monkeys, I might have developed a dislike for Gibraltar. The maze of streets in this densely populated city; lack of signage and closed unmarked trails; grabby monkeys; narrow winding roads; and a real lack of people to ask directions once in the nature reserve really tried my patience. Well, there were lots of monkeys, but they weren’t talking. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Málaga España con Gabrielle 

22-23 March 2016

Nazarenos and Penitentes

Plans for museums and historical landmarks fly out the window after five minutes of bearing witness to a Semana Santa procession. Skip the Picasso Museum, another church, the park, the Alcazaba Palace. Save our energy. This time of year is all about the spectacle of the cofradias. Having the stamina for Holy Week in Andalusia is our sole focus. The next two nights we will celebrate Semana Santa in its birthplace – Málaga.   (more…)

By Pat, ago

Granada España con Gabrielle

21 March 2016

Granada, land of dreams for me
My song becomes gypsy-like
When it is for you.

My song made of fantasy
My song a melancholy flower
That I come to give to you.

We collect our car and head south to Andalusia, Spain’s rocky, sun-baked southern coastal region Here is embodied much of what one thinks of as Spanish: tapas, matadors and music. Yet it was under Moorish rule from the 8th-15th centuries, a history that shows in its architecture, including such cities as Seville and Córdoba, and Granada’s Alhambra palace, our destination for today.  (more…)

By Pat, ago

Toledo España Con Señorita Gabrielle

19 March 2016

Toledo 1972

Toledo 1972

What impresses me immediately this morning is the easy, clean, fast and beautiful rail service and train stations we use to travel south to Toledo. The one drawback is the first train is sold out so we wait an hour. Should have bought tickets yesterday.

However, the hour is not wasted. Madrid’s rail station has a wonderful tropical, garden with a plethora of turtles to keep one occupied, plus comfortable lounge chairs. Heavy security checks bags and person before we are allowed into the boarding area so extra time is needed to meet the train, which does leave on time. The high speed takes 33 minutes to speed through 74km of Don Quixote’s windmill country and costs 20.60€ round trip. (more…)

By Pat, ago

Madrid España Con Señorita Gabrielle

17-20 March 2016

Decadent chocolate and churros, oh my!

Decadent chocolate and
churros, oh my!

Sadly, there is no such thing as a convenient flight. I am pleased with flights that are on time, reasonably friendly and uneventful with no massive weather delays and no one deplaned by police. I have come to adjust my personal flight pattern by taking more time to get from Point A to Point B – much more time. What once was a painfully long flight has turned into a mini vacation where I am able to browse, lounge, shop, or eat. In need of message or pedicure? Check out the airport. I now visit airports like I once visited cities. All that is lacking is a bed and that can be had for a price. Regardless, if I choose to travel the world, I have no option other than to enter that world of airlines, that tube of recycled air, and subject myself to its pain. No pain no gain.  (more…)

By Pat, ago